New Hampton Tribune

Sjur Richard “Dick” Attleson dies at 75

Sjur Richard “Dick” Attleson, 75, of Mason City passed away Thursday, July 13, 2017, at the Hospice of North Iowa, Muse Norris Inpatient Unit in Mason City, surrounded by his family.

A Memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 S Pierce Ave, Mason City, IA 50401 with the Reverend Paul Collier officiating. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Mason City Veterans.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 17, 2017, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd Street Northeast, Mason City, Iowa. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

The family suggests memorials be directed to Hospice of North Iowa, American Cancer Society, and the First Presbyterian Church.

Sjur Richard “Dick” Attleson was born on July 28, 1941, to Sjur Gertinus and Andrena Matilda Johnson Attleson in New Hampton. Dick grew up in New Hampton, attending and graduating from New Hampton High School. In 1959 he joined the Navy where he served his country honorably on the USS Los Angeles in Long Beach, Calif., until his honorable discharge in 1962. Dick received his AA degree at Mason City Junior College, BA at State College of Iowa, and eventually earned his MS at Mankato State College. On June 15, 1968, Dick married the love of his life, Adriana Lee Vellinga, and to this marriage three children were born, Ross, Ryan, and Laura.

Dick spent his life as a teacher to many. He worked as an 8th grade American History teacher in Osage, taught Social Studies at Roosevelt Junior High for 22 years, and was a middle school counselor at John Adams for 10 years. He also coached many students in football, wrestling, and girls’ track.

Dick dedicated his life to volunteering and helping others. Some of the organizations he gave his time to included: Cub Scouts, Mason City Foundation Board, Community Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank, and Music Man Square, as well as First Presbyterian Church as a Deacon, Elder, and Choir Member for 49 years. He was an avid reader who liked to travel both in the US and abroad. He loved all sports, especially wrestling.

Dick is survived by his wife, Adriana; his children, Ross (Kristin) Attleson, Houston, Texas, Ryan (Heather) Attleson, Waukee, and Laura (Scott) Hendrickson, Coralville; grandchildren, Karlee and Rhett Attleson, Hannah and Jacob Attleson, and Makenna, Annabel, and Ivy Hendrickson; brothers, T. Palmer Attleson, Denver, Colo., and James R. Attleson, Lindsborg, KS; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He is also survived by exchange students who lived with the family, David Schoknecht from Germany and Olga Vinnikova from Russia.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sjur and Andrena, and his sisters, Signora Goss, Melba Gilbert, Karen Feind, and Paulette Trewin.